HE in FE projects: summary report

This report provides a summary overview of the projects and findings from nine projects that explored the use of technology-enhanced learning delivered in Higher Education (HE) courses delivered by Further Education (FE) colleges.

Valuation of wind energy projects: A real options approach

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Management and Promotion of Digitization Projects: Geologic Atlas of the US

The Geologic Atlas of the United States was digitized and stored in the Texas A&M University institutional repository. Extensive metadata was created which emphasized the geographic and geologic aspects of the material. The map sheets were also convered into kml files for Google Earth and ESRI shape files for use in GIS. A Yahoo!Map interface allows for visualization of the locations of each folio and user friendly browsing across the collection. Details of the project will be discussed, including the selection, digitization methods and standards, preservation, metadata, web presence and staffing. Its storage in DSpace, assortment of publicity outlets, and its inclusion in targeted clearinghouses expand its potential use to national and international audiences.

Esporte contemporâneo: um novo templo do capital monopolista

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo abrir uma discussão sobre o papel do esporte contemporâneo junto ao processo de alienação humana em tempos de domínio do capitalismo monopolista e do fortalecimento da ideologia dominante. Para tal, no primeiro capítulo, analisou-se as principais transformações vividas historicamente pelo capitalismo com a intenção de identificar o impacto do capitalismo monopolista sobre o novo ordenamento da humanidade. No segundo capítulo, demonstrou-se como o esporte contemporâneo constituiu-se como uma instituição burguesa, socialmente determinada e integrada ao conjunto de normas, ideias e estratégias inerentes ao modo de produção capitalista, participando do processo de mascaramento da questão social. Destaca-se neste capítulo o uso de fontes documentais que demonstraram como o esporte contemporâneo tem ocupado lugar estratégico tanto junto à produção da ideologia dominante, quanto junto ao controle da queda da taxa de lucro. Identificou-se que sob tais condições o esporte contemporâneo compõe os processos compensatórios frente à queda tendencial da taxa de lucro e, ao mesmo tempo, integra-se ao processo de alienação humana, tendo por maior expressão a sua materialização sob a forma dos megaeventos esportivos. Neste ponto, a pesquisa concentra-se na análise dos megaeventos esportivos no Brasil e na criação das políticas do esporte, desde o primeiro governo Lula da Silva até os dias atuais. Identificou-se que os projetos de desenvolvimento do esporte no país, no período em tela, têm participado do processo de gerenciamento da crise do capital e do refluxo das lutas dos trabalhadores. O último capítulo abordou as particularidades que envolvem a ideologia pós-moderna, tendo por objetivo identificar as relações desta com fenômeno esportivo. Constatou-se que, em tempos de domínio do capitalismo monopolista e de suas políticas neoliberais, as contradições que aguçam o processo de alienação sob o qual encontra-se a classe trabalhadora de todo o mundo, coloca a humanidade em um novo patamar de alienação, ainda mais brutal e desumanizador. Nesta conjuntura, o esporte contemporâneo destaca-se por ser funcional tanto ao mercado globalizado, quanto ao projeto imperialista, impondo-se como instrumento da contenção de conflitos em nome da tolerância e da paz no mundo. A presente pesquisa pôde concluir que as condições impostas pela fase monopolista do capitalismo ocultam a natureza dialética do esporte transforma-o num instrumento eficiente ao projeto dominante de incremento da alienação humana. O esporte, sob a forma assumida na contemporaneidade, não contribui para o avanço da consciência da classe trabalhadora, pois vem colaborando para adiamento do projeto de emancipação da humanidade. Projeto este que só será produzido pela organização consciente da classe trabalhadora em busca da superação do modo de produção capitalista.

Valuation of Wind Energy Projects: A Real Options Approach

We address the valuation of an operating wind farm and the finite-lived option to invest in it under different reward/support schemes: a constant feed-in tariff, a premium on top of the electricity market price (either a fixed premium or a variable subsidy such as a renewable obligation certificate or ROC), and a transitory subsidy, among others. Futures contracts on electricity with ever longer maturities enable market-based valuations to be undertaken. The model considers up to three sources of uncertainty: the electricity price, the level of wind generation, and the certificate (ROC) price where appropriate. When analytical solutions are lacking, we resort to a trinomial lattice combined with Monte Carlo simulation; we also use a two-dimensional binomial lattice when uncertainty in the ROC price is considered. Our data set refers to the UK. The numerical results show the impact of several factors involved in the decision to invest: the subsidy per MWh generated, the initial lump-sum subsidy, the maturity of the investment option, and electricity price volatility. Different combinations of variables can help bring forward investments in wind generation. One-off policies, e.g., a transitory initial subsidy, seem to have a stronger effect than a fixed premium per MWh produced.

Review of NRA tracking projects on salmon, Salmo salar L., and sea trout, Salmo trutta L

The report briefly outlines the programme of the National Rivers Authority (NRA), placing the Fisheries programme in the context of the work of the NRA as a whole, and viewing the tracking work against the broader requirements of the NRA Fisheries research programme. All regions of England and Wales are considered. Two techniques currently exist for studying the detailed timing and extent of movements of adult salmon: tracking of individually identifiable fish, and counting the numbers of fish moving past a fixed point in the river. The development of tracking techniques and the integrated use of tracking and fish counters is briefly reviewed in Section 3. Further details of these techniques are given in Appendices. Section 4 summarises and assesses completed and current NRA tracking studies. Section 5 discusses the scientific content of these studies in relation to similar work carried out elsewhere in the UK. The NRA programme of tracking studies is evaluated in Section 6. Section 7 discusses future fisheries projects and Section 8 details the future development of tracking techniques. Finally, recommendations arising out of this review are summarised in Section 9.

Guidelines for the scoping and environmental assessment of water resources projects. The environment and water resources projects - Volume 1

The following brief is to ensure standard criteria and format are used for the scoping and environmental assessment of water resources projects leading to the production of an environmental report or Environmental Statement. This volume is one of a series giving guidance on water resources projects. The water resources projects will predominantly comprise drought orders and permits, time limited and permanent licences. Smaller projects, such as spray irrigation licences, will not require an environmental assessment. This document forms the basis for discussions between the Environment Agency North East Region, consultees and the applicant. The process aims to produce a thorough assessment. Each section addresses consecutive elements of the assessment process. Section 2 outlines the structure for a scoping document, section 3 outlines the structure for an Environmental Statement and section 4 gives guidance on the role of an Environmental Action Plan. Appendices 1 and 2 should be used in conjunction with the scoping process and cover a wide range of aspects. However, some projects may not require all of them to be included, whilst for others, the inclusion of additional factors may be appropriate.

Guidelines for the scoping and environmental assessment of water resources projects. The environment and water resources projects - Volume 2

In its role as protector of the water environment, the Environment Agency requires significant water resources abstraction applications and schemes such as drought orders, drought permits, time limited licences, and river transfers to be environmentally assessed leading to the production of an environmental report or statement. This may not take the form of a formal Environmental Assessment, but is required to provide environmental information to support applications. (See Volume 1 - Guidance for Scoping and Environmental Assessment for Water Resources Projects in North East Region). This second volume concentrates on the environmental monitoring component of environmental assessments.

Evaluation of NRA tracking studies. Future projects and technical development

Fish tracking is a valuable technique for the provision of detailed information on the behaviour patterns of individual fish especially during estuarine and riverine migration. 2. Tracking studies help in the provision of a comprehensive description of the variety offish behaviour patterns in response to factors such as water flow, obstructions and water quality. 3. There are advantages to be gained by complementing fish tracking studies with data collected from fish counters and vice versa. 4. An overall evaluation of NRA fish tracking projects is presented in the wider context of NRA strategic research objectives. 5. The requirement for future development of tracking equipment, improved data analysis techniques, better communication and more immediate report preparation is identified. 6. Individual project evaluation is given for NRA (or the appropriate Water Authority predecessor) tracking studies conducted on the Ribble estuary, the River Tamar, River Torridge, Rivers Test and Itchen, River Lodden, the Welsh River Dee, River Glaslyn, River Taff, River Tawe, River Tywi, River Usk, Rivers Avon and Stour and the River Frome. 7. An outline for future strategic research is provided which identifies particular areas for study:- i) Identification of environmental factors which control the entry of fish into rivers. ii) Improvement of the understanding of the relationship between water flow and upstream movement of salmonids. iii) Examination of the detailed movements and behaviour of fish in relation to obstructions. iv) Closer definition of water quality requirements for salmonid fish. v) Definition of habitat preferences of salmonids in rivers. vi) Subsidiary topics such as the movements of non-salmonid fish and the downstream migration of kelts and juvenile salmonids.

ICLARM software projects: back to the future

The different computer softwares developed by the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources (ICLARM) and its functions and uses in fisheries science are presented.

Impact evaluation of community-based coastal resource management projects in the Philippines

The benefits of decentralizing the management of coastal resources to local governments and resource users have long been recognized, but the best systems for coastal resources management depend on many factors. A number of community-based management and co-management projects were started in the Philippines in the early 1980s. This report describes a comparative assessment of these projects to determine where improvements can be made in the design of future community-based coastal resource management projects. Early and continuing involvement by project beneficiaries is one of the factors that contributes to the success of the project development, implementation, and evaluation.